Marina–Besant Nagar Sea Link Delayed Until After 2026 Elections Over Land Acquisition Hurdles

The proposed sea bridge linking Srinivasapuram off Marina Loop Road with the Besant Nagar Broken Bridge has hit a political and logistical roadblock, with officials confirming that the project will not proceed until after the 2026 elections.

The primary delay stems from the need to clear over 3,000 encroaching houses in the area to make way for the bridge’s pile and pillar work. A senior government official stated, “We cannot acquire land now. Doing so will create unrest. We’ve been instructed to hold the project until elections are over.”

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) issued tenders in March to hire a consultant to draw up the detailed project report (DPR) at a cost of ₹20 lakh. The bridge, as proposed, is a four-lane cable-stayed one over the Adyar estuary. However, progress has remained stagnant at the DPR stage.

Mylapore MLA D. Velu emphasized that demolition of homes cannot proceed without resettlement. “The project is on hold till next year. We’re proposing Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board (TNUHDB) housing in Dumeel Kuppam, Nochi Kuppam, and Nochi Nagar. Around 1,700 houses will be ready soon. Those willing will be relocated,” he said. For the remaining families, resettlement plans will be framed and sent for state budgetary approval.

Most of the affected residents are from fishing communities whose livelihoods rely on coastal access. “They cannot be shifted to distant places such as Perumbakkam or Ambattur,” Velu stated.

“They cannot be shifted to distant places such as Perumbakkam or Ambattur,” Velu said.

Despite the delay, the bridge remains a critical urban infrastructure project to ease traffic on major corridors like Santhome High Road, DGS Dhinakaran Salai, and Greenways Road. Upon completion, the sea link will offer an alternative route for vehicles traveling to Thiruvanmiyur via the beach road, while traffic to Adyar and OMR can also move on existing roads reducing congestion by splitting the vehicle load across both corridors.